Date of Birth: March 13, 1900
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Date of Death: September 20, 1971
Biography
Giorgos Seferis, born Giorgos Seferiades, was a distinguished Greek poet and diplomat, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest Greek poets of the 20th century. He was born on March 13, 1900, in Smyrna, then part of the Ottoman Empire and now known as İzmir, Turkey. Seferis spent his early years in Asia Minor before moving to Athens in 1914 due to the Greco-Turkish War. He later studied law in Paris, which significantly influenced his literary and intellectual development. Seferis entered the Greek diplomatic service in 1926, serving in various posts in London, Albania, Egypt, and South Africa, among other locations. His career culminated in his appointment as Ambassador to the United Kingdom from 1957 to 1962. Seferis’ diplomatic career provided him with a broad perspective and deep understanding of international affairs, which often influenced his poetry. His literary work, marked by a profound sense of history, identity, and personal introspection, earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1963. Some of his most notable works include “Strophe,” “Gymnopaedia,” and “Mythistorema.” Seferis passed away on September 20, 1971, in Athens, Greece, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire readers and writers worldwide.
5 Interesting Facts about Giorgos Seferis
1. Giorgos Seferis was the first Greek to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, which he received in 1963.
2. He played a significant role in the Greek diplomatic service, serving as the Greek Ambassador to the United Kingdom from 1957 to 1962.
3. Seferis was an avid translator and translated works of T.S. Eliot and other notable poets into Greek.
4. His poetry often reflects themes of exile, dislocation, and the search for identity, influenced by his personal experience and historical events.
5. Seferis’ work has had a lasting impact on modern Greek literature and continues to be studied and revered both in Greece and internationally.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Giorgos Seferis
1. “Wherever I travel, Greece wounds me.”
2. “Our country is a closed in place all mountains and narrow straits.”
3. “This is the essence of our being: to be unfaithful to our destiny.”
4. “Poetry is an act of peace.”
5. “We came to know each other better in the dark.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Giorgos Seferis’ highest net worth is not well-documented, as his primary legacy lies in his literary contributions rather than financial wealth.
Children
Giorgos Seferis did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Nobel Prize Biography](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/literature/1963/seferis/biographical/
2. [Poetry Foundation Profile](https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/giorgos-seferis
3. [Academy of American Poets](https://poets.org/poet/george-seferis
4. [Greek Ministry of Culture](https://www.culture.gr/en/service/SitePages/view.aspx?iID=2693
5. [Britannica Entry](https://www.britannica.com/biography/George-Seferis
